Matthew 14:5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
A couple of Sundays back, for some reason I did not attend Sunday Service, and my niece, who had come to stay with us, was attending her service online, and I sat with her too. Since her Church service was earlier than my Church service, we attended both preachings.
A young preacher of her church preached with great charisma and motivation. With his voice modulation and body language, he captured everyone’s attention and did a great job. He was an evangelist by Calling and this spark was visible. When it came to our church, the preaching was done by a sister who was a Teacher by Calling, and she hardly moved from her place. There were no actions nor much voice modulation. We saw both and were discussing the difference.
If anyone wanted a boost of faith for a short period, for, say, healing or deliverance, the Evangelist was the perfect solution. When we look at the Teacher’s preaching, the understanding did not drive any great emotions but made a change deep within. It changed one’s outlook towards the matter she had taken up.
In today’s scripture, we see Herod, who wanted to marry his sister-in-law Herodias, was angry with John the Baptist since John objected to it, stating it was unlawful. Herod feared an uprising from the people if he did anything to John, for the people considered John a Prophet. Later on Herod’s birthday, Herodias’ daughter Salome danced before him, and this pleased Herod so much that he granted her one wish. She wished for John’s head for the sake of her mother. Herod, not wanting to go back on his word, did behead John.
Emotions, good or bad, can drive us to overcome fear; that fear could be good or bad. i.e. we can overcome fear of being harmed, depression, unloved, etc. by emotionally driving our faith through words of encouragement or simply a love expression like a hug, laying of hands, etc. We can also overcome the fear of God, moral fear, lust, misplaced love, greed, etc., like we see happen in today’s case.
Truth will bring the right perspective to our lives even though it will take time. Being emotionally boosted is good in the short term but can have two extreme results. So let us not always seek the tickling of our senses, go after Preachers who emotionally drive us, but seek those who build us gradually and firmly.
[Prayer Starter]
Lord, You are Almighty God. You, Lord, are Awesome God. You are All-Knowing and All-Seeing. You, Lord, do not look for shortcuts but seek long-term, permanent changes in us. We pray we have patience in all things, not be emotionally driven, but to be driven to permanent changes by holding on to the Truth…
We make this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Matthew 14:3-11
3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put [him] in prison for Herodias sake, his brother Philip s wife.
4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
6 But when Herod s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist s head in a charger.
9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded [it] to be given [her].
10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought [it] to her mother.